SUNNYVALE, CA — LinkedIn CMO Shannon Stubo Brayton is to leave the company at the end of 2019, after a nine year run that saw her emerge as one of the few senior communicators to lead an integrated marketing function. 

Stubo Brayton is to focus on advising individuals and companies after leaving LinkedIn, building on her considerable marketing communications and enterprise experience in Silicon Valley. Her decision comes four years after she was named CMO, expanding the communications leadership remit she had held since 2010.

"From LinkedIn’s brand to performance marketing to product marketing and events, marketing & communications under Shannon’s leadership has never had more impact on our company than it does today," said LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner in a memo to staff. "Arguably, her greatest accomplishment is the truly world-class team she built over her tenure — one that will continue on their current trajectory well into the future."

One of those team members — Melissa Selcher — will succeed Stubo Brayton as CMO in January 2020. Selcher joined LinkedIn in 2016 as VP of communications, before being elevated to leadership of brand, communications and social impact. 

"Under [Selcher's] leadership, we’ve successfully navigated the increasingly complex external environment, protected our reputation and the trust of our stakeholders, and advanced our strategic social impact programs," said Weiner.

Selcher joined LinkedIn from Cisco, where she spent eight years, rising to the role of chief communications officer. Stubo Brayton, meanwhile, held senior roles at OpenTable, eBay and Yahoo before joining LinkedIn.